The constructions of bridges and approach roads of the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway are unlikely to be completed within the stipulated deadline of March. Four laning work on a 18-km stretch on the Puri-Bhubaneswar NH remains to be completed. It includes the 12 km stretch from Biraharekrushnapur to Sterling Resorts, 6 km approach road to under-bridge at Satyabadi Square and the approach road to the over-bridge at Samjajpur.
Apart from the approach roads, finishing work of the bridges also remains to be completed, thus leading to apprehensions over completion of the four laning work on the Puri-Bhubaneswar NH undertaken at a cost of at least Rs550 crore on schedule. During a review meeting in January on preparations for the Nabakalebar Yatra, the Chief Secretary had stated that these bridges would be completed by the end of February. But with only ten days left in the month, work on the project is unlikely to be completed by March given the pace of the work.
The inflow of devotees and tourists is expected to start well before the Banajaga Yatra, considered as the opening chapter of the Nabakalebar Yatra, scheduled on March 29 as per the itinerary of the Nabakalebar Yatra announced by the State Government recently.